p.1 #1 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
Started using the Viltrox 85 1.4 on Z7II. It checks a lot of boxes including chunky. But absolutely a very nice image, very good AF, really sharp wide open, smooth bokeh etc, etc. I just don't see how Nikon tops this at a decent price point without encroachment on the venerable 85 1.8S. The Viltrox has center resolution at 1.8 that rivals the Nikon. Yes, vignetting, maybe somewhat weaker flare resistance (still testing that) but both the 35 and 50 1.4 offerings (very good lenses) proved that Nikon is not going to invalidate the elder siblings here. I am sure the Nikon (when it ever shows up) will be lighter, maybe a tad bit better focusing for action, but not likely better for bokeh and resolution at 1.4.As to clinical rendering questions, I am neutral on this subject here. I never really warmed up to the 85 1.8S in part because it's very good resolution wide open came at the slight expense of its bokeh quality, and I do want the extra light and shallower depth of field when needed. The Viltrox is a better portrait offering in my opinion. Nikon's only path forward on topping the Viltrox is to put in some portrait friendly secret sauce in the way they tune the frequency of the glass which is possible. For landscapes, the Nikon 85 1.8S will likely remain top choice for the long haul (no pun intended) unless you want to lug the 1.2 around. For me, I landed on the Nikon 50 1.2 as my top chunky lens. Looks like Viltrox 85 1.4 will be now #2.
p.1 #2 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
Nikon will be lighter, maybe around 500-600g.
It will have more character than Viltrox(edge aroung bokeh balls, more aberations, etc)...Viltrox sometimes needs firmware update, Nikon works great right out of box.
p.1 #3 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
I had originally preordered the Viltrox 85 1.4 Pro but ultimately canceled it as I didn't think it would get enough use. But it seems like a home run lens and offers some great image quality and features for the price. Looking forward to seeing more samples from the Z-mount version.
p.1 #5 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
Jman13 wrote:
Of course, Viltrox’s answer to the 85/1.8S is their 85/2 EVO, which is essentially as good for 1/4 the price, as well as being smaller.
Not sure I‘d 100% agree with that assessment. The EVO pays for its compactness with severe optical vignetting, which is less of an issue with the Nikon. Not everyone will care but for those who do, it’s not quite as good as the Nikon in terms of rendering. It’s still a strong performer esp. for the price point, I just wouldn’t say it’s just as good as the Nikon in all areas.
I have Viltrox the 85mm f1.4 on order and hope it’ll be shipped before Xmas..
Regarding a potential Nikon 85/1.4 I’d expect it to perform more in line with the f1.4G - not quite as sharp as the Viltrox wide-open and more LoCA. It will likely still be the best of the Nikon Z 1.4 lenses, as 85mm lenses tend to be.
p.1 #6 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
i did see a video where the viltrox on 1.4 and 1.8 was exactly the same.
the was no difference to see.
no change in iso/shutter or light, exact the same histogram and bokeh.
It was tested again the sony version.what showed a difference in the picture.
question that was asked, is the viltrox realy a 1.4?
I check if i can find that video again, and will post it.
p.1 #7 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
Easy to forget (or not yet know) Viltrox lens families:
. AIR - budget, compact
. EVO - evolution of essentials, balancing Pro features with Air size/price
. PRO - high-end, premium build/optics
. LAB - flagship, most advanced
Soon enough, they will be competing against themselves.
Their website makes the Nikon counterpart look like some soulless cheap box store:
p.1 #8 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
fjablo wrote:
Regarding a potential Nikon 85/1.4 I’d expect it to perform more in line with the f1.4G - not quite as sharp as the Viltrox wide-open and more LoCA. It will likely still be the best of the Nikon Z 1.4 lenses, as 85mm lenses tend to be.
That would be interesting if it had some of the character of the G lens. I liked the G version a lot but really wanted just a bit more resolution. The bokeh on the G truly melts away from the subject but comes at a price of the subject resolution. Something in between the G and S would be nice.
p.1 #9 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
aerospace99 wrote:
Something in between the G and S would be nice.
I agonized over this search and ended up with the 105E, paired with the Sigma 50 Art (DSLR). Both are chunky but provide the balance of contrast, color, rendering, and resolution I was looking for. On either side of 85 but they are close and spaced well enough. Good value used if the weight and size aren't a problem.
p.1 #11 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
As someone who has owned both, I say yes. There are some small advantages for the Nikon, though I much prefer the size of the Viltrox, and there is nothing that comes close to justifying 3-4x the cost. If the Nikon was $300, you’d have an argument, but in the current landscape there is no way I’d recommend the 85/1.8S given the existence of the EVO. The EVO is just as sharp, the rendering is very nice, there’s almost no CA, AF is fast, and the only real negative is higher than average optical vignetting.
p.1 #12 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
sport wrote:
i did see a video where the viltrox on 1.4 and 1.8 was exactly the same.
the was no difference to see.
no change in iso/shutter or light, exact the same histogram and bokeh.
It was tested again the sony version.what showed a difference in the picture.
question that was asked, is the viltrox realy a 1.4?
I check if i can find that video again, and will post it.
Here’s a comparison between the Sony 85/1.4 and f/1.8 and the Viltrox f/1.4. If anything, the Viltrox shows the most blur of any of them, so it’s definitely an f/1.4. Like any fast lens (save the Plena), though I’m sure there is some optical vignetting which means near the corners the difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 will be fairly small. The image below is from the Fstoppers comparison. They do show the Sony to be a fair bit sharper than the Viltrox though.
Philip Reeve’s review shows similar with regards to out of focus backgrounds (similar or slightly more blur than the Sony, even at f/2.) and clearly shows a change stopped down.
p.1 #13 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
philip_pj wrote:
Easy to forget (or not yet know) Viltrox lens families:
. AIR - budget, compact
. EVO - evolution of essentials, balancing Pro features with Air size/price
. PRO - high-end, premium build/optics
. LAB - flagship, most advanced
Soon enough, they will be competing against themselves.
Their website makes the Nikon counterpart look like some soulless cheap box store:
Little wonder no one even bothered to leave a review at the Nikon page!
The Viltrox product segmentation is great.
I ended up with the new small Viltrox 85mm 2.0 EVO. Great lens. Very, very sharp even wide open, has a nice micro contrast. It does not flare, even when shot direct into the sun. Same size as the Nikon 50mm 1.8s.
It even comes with a clicked de-clicked aperture ring and function button despite its small size. I miss an aperture ring on Nikons Z lenses.
That's the Viltrox line, that's the most exciting for me. Small, high quality and top performance. Its as good as my Nikon 50 1.8s.
OpticalLimits Imatest show the Viltrox 85 2.0 EVO wide open at F2 has a higher center resolution than the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 PRO Z stopped down to F2.
Shot with the compact, lightweight and excellent Viltrox 85mm 2.0 EVO @F2. I just wanted to show the other, more compact and lightweight end of their product line.
p.1 #14 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
I have two Viltrox lens - the 16mm, and the 135mm. Forgetting the price, these lenses are fantastic optically, and build quality blows Nikon away.
If they ever come out with zoom lenses, Nikon should get worried
p.1 #15 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
Those are the 2 I want
pr4photos wrote:
I have two Viltrox lens - the 16mm, and the 135mm. Forgetting the price, these lenses are fantastic optically, and build quality blows Nikon away.
If they ever come out with zoom lenses, Nikon should get worried
p.1 #16 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
I played with the Viltrox 85 PRO at a photo show here in Paris. The weight and size of that lens is rather unappealing, but they way the AF motors shake around in there with power/af is not engaged is irritating. No issues with the sharpness or overall image quality, esp not for the price.
p.1 #17 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
I'm waiting for a Nikon 1.4Z. I prefer the clean and simple physical design vs how "busy" the Viltrox Pro is.
Optically the Viltrox looks fantastic, it's no doubt a great value.
p.1 #20 · Viltrox 85 1.4 Z - Can Nikon better this lens?
I absolutely love Nikon's F1.8 S lenses but sometimes I yearn F1.4 look, coming from being used to Sony's F1.4 GMs. I never yearned F1.2 look while owning F1.4 lenses. F1.2 lenses are special, having experienced Sony 50 GM F1.2, Sigma 50 F1.2, Sigma 35 F1.2
F1.4 strikes just the right balance.
Nikon needs to revisit their strategy, given the immense pull of Viltrox, they should go back on drawing board and deliver S series F1.4 lenses.
I would like to own first party lenses anyday. Now the ball is in Nikon's court.
